The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) has published a list of the top 40 wealthiest former apprentices ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, to help demonstrate that you don’t have to go to university to go far in life.
Mark Farrar, Chief Executive of AAT, said: “The 2015 Apprenticeship Rich List shows not only that some of the country’s most successful individuals have come from an apprentice route, but that not all apprenticeships are in the industries you might expect. Many hail from other professional backgrounds, such as Sir Terry Matthews with a wealth of £1.19 billion who was an apprentice researcher before founding tech firm Mitel.
“There’s no doubting the importance of apprentices to the UK economy with it set to gain £101 billion through apprentice recruitment by 2050. We’re hoping that by highlighting the success of these wealthy former apprentices we are also opening people’s eyes to what apprenticeships can deliver in terms of financial and career fulfilment.”
| APPRENTICE RICH LIST RANKING | NAME | APPRENTICESHIP TYPE | WEALTH £M | SOURCE OF WEALTH |
| 1 | Lord Bamford & Family | apprentice at Massey Ferguson | £3,150 | construction equipment |
| 2 | Laurence and Francois Graff | apprentice jeweller | £3,000 | diamonds |
| 3 | John Cauldwell | engineering apprentice | £1,500 | mobile phones |
| 4 | Sir Terry Matthews | Post Office Research apprentice | £1,190 | computers |
| 5= | Jim McColl | apprentice engineer | £1,000 | engineering |
| 5= | Vladimir Makhlai | turner’s apprentice | £1,000 | industry |
| 7 | John Bloor | apprentice plasterer | £750 | construction, motorcycles |
| 8 | Sir Arnold Clark & Family | apprentice shoe designer | £675 | car sales |
| 9 | Lord Alliance & Family | apprenticed into Grand Bazaar in Tehran | £650 | mail order, textiles |
| 10 | Trevor Hemmings | bricklayer’s apprentice | £625 | property |
| 11 | Michael Oliver & family | apprentice engineer | £608 | engineering |
| 12 | Sir Daid McMurtry | apprentice machinist & fitter | £559 | engineering |
| 13 | Jack Tordoff & Family | apprentice mechanic | £353 | car sales |
| 14 | Michael Oglesby & Family | apprentice plumber | £325 | property |
| 15 | Dean and Janet Hoyle | engineering apprentice | £284 | greeting cards |
| 16 | John Deer | engineering apprentice | £268 | engineering |
| 17 | David Hood | apprentice at hi-fi manufacturer | £265 | aviation, electronics |
| 18= | Ron Dennis | apprentice mechanic | £260 | motor racing |
| 18= | Clinton, Spencer & John McCarthy | apprentice carpenters / joiners | £260 | construction |
| 20 | Lord and Apurv Bagri | apprentice metal trader | £250 | metals |
| 21 | Jamie and Jools Oliver | Westminster Catering College; catering apprentice | £240 | food, media |
| 22 | Peter Dawson & Family | engineering apprenticeship | £216 | trucks |
| 23= | David and Victoria Beckham | Youth Training Scheme (Football) | £210 | fashion, football |
| 23= | Lord Haughey & Family | air conditioning and refrigeration apprentice | £210 | refrigeration |
| 25 | Mark and Mo Constantine | apprentice hairdresser | £204 | cosmetics |
| 26 | Ringo Starr | apprenticeship at Liverpool equipment manufacturer | £170 | music |
| 27= | Rodger Dudding | naval engineering apprentice | £160 | property |
| 27= | Tommy Dreelan & Family | heating, ventilation & plumbing apprentice | £160 | oil services |
| 29 | Kenneth Townsley | airline traffic officer apprentice | £158 | travel |
| 30= | John Frieda | apprentice hairdresser | £150 | hairdressing |
| 30= | Eric Clapton | apprentice stained glass design | £150 | music |
| 32 | Stewart Milne & Family | apprentice electrician | £135 | construction |
| 33= | Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne | apprentice toolmaker | £130 | music |
| 33= | Marcus Margulies & Family | watch factory apprentice | £130 | watches |
| 35 | Sir Tom Farmer | garage apprentice | £128 | property, car parts |
| 36 | Ted Fort | Rolls Royce apprentice | £110 | engineering |
| 37= | Ross Brawn | apprentice mechanical engineer | £100 | motor racing |
| 37= | Larry Kinch | apprentice instrument engineer | £100 | oil, gas services |
| 39 | George Moore & Family | apprentice joinery craftsman | £95 | furniture |
| 40 | Andrew Thorpe & Family | apprentice at FW Thorpe | £90 | lighting |
